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“Both were about 15 years old and wore dark clothing. They had bikes with them, but it's not clear whether they rode off,” said a spokesman.

The first boy is described as white, 5ft 6ins to 5ft 8ins tall , and the second boy is described as having tanned skin, about 5ft 6ins to 5ft 8ins tall and was wearing some form of grey-coloured bag across his chest.

They were seen to leave the QEII park area via the Golden Jubilee Way exit leading to Dudbridge Hill at about 8.15pm.

Fire damage at Queen Elizabeth II field, Dudbridge

Cainscross Parish Council met on Monday night and discussed the future of the play area.

The playboat was a bespoke piece specially designed for the canalside setting.

Clerk so the council Jeni Marshall explained; “The play equipment was insured and we are now in the process of getting quotes for the insurers. However we are considering getting a metal framed boat as a replacement, rather than a wooden one.”

The council also discussed improving security at the site and will be investigating whether an electricity supply can be installed to the site, enabling lighting and possibly CCTV to be installed.

An online campaign has been started by local resident, Emily Forgione, to raise funds for improvements.

“My family and I have lived close by for seven years and we were so pleased when the playground was installed on the Queen Elizabeth ll Playing fields a few years ago,” she said.

“We visit a few times a week and more in the summer months. The community surrounding us and even further make use of the park on a regular basis and during the summer months, it's an absolute hive of activity, and has a really great atmosphere.”

Mum Hayley Jones also regularly takes her young son and daughter to the park.

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“our children were very disappointed that they won’t be able to play there any more.

“It’s so sad to think ‘local teenagers’ have done this as probably not so long ago they may have played on the boat themselves.”

An online petition is also calling for improvements to security.

Around 70 people have signed the petition to be presented to the police and Stroud District Council, which states; “We feel things need to change, to keep our Park protected and a great place for everyone to enjoy. The security needs to be increased, to stop a repeat of recent events.”

Police investigations into the suspected arson are continuing after neighbours reported seeing two boys running away.

In 2013, Cainscross Parish Council used around £25,000 of funds from house builders in Baytree Square and Hilly Orchard to install a swing which can take several children at once, and the novel narrow boat on the former Cope Chat recreation ground near the Stroudwater Canal.